Method for controlling air volume output

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling air volume including: 1) establishing a functional relation formula for air volume in a microprocessor control unit of a motor controller; 2) inputting a target air volume into the microprocessor control unit; 3) starting a motor by the motor controller to enable the motor to achieve a rotational speed and fall on a steady state; 4) recording the torque and rotational speed in the steady state, and calculating an air volume in the steady state; 5) comparing the target air volume with the calculated air volume; 6) re-recording a steady torque after the motor falls on a new steady state under an increased or reduced rotational speed, and recalculating the air volume in the new steady state; and 7) repeating steps 5) and 6) to adjust the rotational speed until the calculated air volume is equal or equivalent to the target air volume.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 and the Paris Convention Treaty, this application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201210127208.0 filed Apr. 26, 2012, the contents of which, including any intervening amendments thereto, are incorporated herein by reference. Inquiries from the public to applicants or assignees concerning this document or the related applications should be directed to: Matthias Scholl P. C., Attn.: Dr. Matthias Scholl Esq., 14781 Memorial Drive, Suite 1319, Houston, Tex. 77079.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method for controlling air volume provided by a motor and by an air-conditioning fan system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In an indoor ventilation duct of a household air-conditioner, static pressure often changes because of dust deposition in a duct or blockage of a filter. The static pressure is often higher than the standard static pressure for a nominal system of a manufacturer laboratory due to different installations of ducts. Constant air volume control can provide constant air volume for users under such cases, so as to maintain the comfortable ventilating, cooling or heating effect under broad static pressure conditions.

To realize the constant air volume control, an air volume meter is installed, which, however, increases the cost and the potential risk due to failure of the air volume meter. Currently, air conditioner manufactures mostly adopt a method for controlling air volume provided to remain constant without an air volume meter.

In addition, in some technical schemes, rotational speed is adjusted by monitoring the changes of static pressure to obtain constant air volume. A typical method for determination of the air volume is to directly measure the external static pressure, which requires that the relationship between the static pressure and air volume is measured in advance, then the torque of a motor is calculated under the static pressure corresponding to the specified air volume, and speed adjustment is carried out by monitoring the changes of static pressure. Some calculation formulas involve logarithmic computation or high-order polynomials, and this requires that a microprocessor control unit (MCU) for a motor controller has stronger calculating ability, thus the cost is further improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above-described problems, it is one objective of the invention to provide a method for controlling air volume provided by a motor. The method has high efficiency, high speed, high control accuracy, simple and convenient mathematical model for air volume calculation, and low implementation cost, and can automatically adapt the wide range of static pressure.

To achieve the above objective, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling air volume provided by a motor, the method comprising:

-   -   1) testing a relationship between air volume and torque of a         motor system under multiple constant rotational speed values,         and establishing a functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) for         the air volume, Q representing the air volume, T representing         the torque, n representing the rotational speed, V representing         an adjustment coefficient, and each rotational speed section         having a corresponding adjustment coefficient which is input to         a microprocessor control unit of a motor controller;     -   2) inputting a target air volume Q_(ref) into the microprocessor         control unit of the motor controller;     -   3) starting the motor by the motor controller to enable the         motor achieve a certain rotational speed and fall on a steady         state;     -   4) recording the torque T and rotational speed n in the steady         state, acquiring the adjustment coefficient V under the         rotational speed n through a table look-up method, and         calculating an air volume Q_(c) in the steady state according to         the functional relation formula in step 1);     -   5) comparing the target air volume Q_(ref) with the calculated         air volume Q_(c) by the microprocessor control unit of the motor         controller, and a) maintaining the rotational speed to work at         the steady state and recording the torque T if the target air         volume Q_(ref) is equal or equivalent to the calculated air         volume Q_(c); or b) increasing the rotational speed n through         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is greater         than the calculated air volume Q_(c), or c) decreasing the         rotational speed n through the microprocessor control unit of         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is smaller         than the calculated air volume Q_(c);     -   6) re-recording a steady torque after the motor falls on a new         steady state under an increased or reduced rotational speed,         re-searching the corresponding adjustment coefficient V by the         motor controller through the table look-up method, and         recalculating the air volume Q_(c) in the new steady state; and     -   7) repeating step 5) and step 6) to adjust the rotational speed         until the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to         the target air volume Q_(ref), and recording the torque T in the         steady state after the motor falls on the steady state.

In a class of this embodiment, step 7) is followed by step 8), that is, if the torque and the output air volume change due to the alteration of an external system, the motor controller compares the new steady torque with the torque in step 5) or step 7) to acquire the change of output air volume, and then steps 4), 5), 6), and 7) are repeated.

In a class of this embodiment, the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) is acquired as follows according to original data of torque and air volume parameters under a base rotational speed n_(base) and other rotational speed values and under different external static pressure: arranging the motor fixed on a wind wheel in an air-conditioning device, setting the motor to work at the working state of constant rotational speed, selecting a plurality of rotational speed values comprising the base rotational speed within the range without exceeding the maximal rotational speed, allowing the motor to work under different rotational speed values, and changing the external static pressure of the system in sequence to collect the original data comprising the torque and the air volume parameters.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling air volume provided by an air-conditioning fan system, the air-conditioning fan system comprises a wind wheel and a motor, the motor comprises a motor controller, a stator component, and a rotor component, and the method comprising the following steps:

-   -   1) setting the motor to work at a constant rotational speed         state, selecting a plurality of rotational speed values         comprising a base rotational speed within a range without         exceeding the maximal rotational speed, allowing the motor to         work under different rotational speed values, and changing the         external static pressure of the system in sequence to collect         the original data comprising torque and air volume parameters;     -   2) establishing a functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) for         the air volume, Q representing the air volume, T representing         the torque, n representing the rotational speed, V representing         an adjustment coefficient, and each rotational speed section         having a corresponding adjustment coefficient which is input to         a microprocessor control unit of the motor controller;     -   3) inputting a target air volume Q_(ref) into the microprocessor         control unit of the motor controller;     -   4) starting the motor by the motor controller to enable the         motor achieve a certain rotational speed and fall on a steady         state;     -   5) recording the torque T and the rotational speed n in the         steady state, acquiring the adjustment coefficient V under the         rotational speed n through a table look-up method, and         calculating an air volume Q_(c) in the steady state according to         the functional relation formula in step 1);     -   6) comparing the target air volume Q_(ref) with the calculated         air volume Q_(c) by the microprocessor control unit of the motor         controller, and a) maintaining the rotational speed to work at         the steady state and recording the torque T if the target air         volume Q_(ref) is equal or equivalent to the calculated air         volume Q_(c); or b) increasing the rotational speed n through         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is greater         than the calculated air volume Q_(c), or c) decreasing the         rotational speed n through the microprocessor control unit of         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is smaller         than the calculated air volume Q_(c);     -   7) re-recording a steady torque after the motor falls on a new         steady state under an increased or reduced rotational speed,         re-searching the corresponding adjustment coefficient V by the         motor controller through the table look-up method, and         recalculating the air volume Q_(c) in the new steady state; and     -   8) repeating step 6) and step 7) to adjust the rotational speed         until the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to         the target air volume Q_(ref), and recording the torque T in the         steady state after the motor falls on the steady state.

In a class of this embodiment, step 8) is followed by a step 9), that is, if the torque and the output air volume change due to the alteration of an external system, the motor controller compares the new steady torque with the torque in step 6) or step 8) to acquire the change of output air volume, and then steps 5), 6), 7), and 8) are repeated.

In a class of this embodiment, a calculation formula for calculating air volume is as follows:

${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}\;}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}}}},{or}$ ${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}} + {c\; 2 \times T^{2} \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V} \right)^{3}}}},$

in which coefficients c0, c1, and c2 are obtained by a curve fitting method under different external static pressure conditions of base rotational speed n_(base) according to the original data of the torque and air volume parameters.

In a class of this embodiment, the base rotational speed n_(base) ranges from 30% n_(max) to 80% n_(max), and n_(max) represents a maximal rotational speed of the motor.

In a class of this embodiment, the value of the adjustment coefficient V in the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) ranges from 0.1 to 2.

In a class of this embodiment, the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref) in step 5) and step 7) means that the calculated air volume Q_(c) is in the range of “target air volume Q_(ref), ±error window”, and the error window of the target air volume Q_(ref) ranges from 1% to 2%.

In a class of this embodiment, increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n through the motor controller in step 6) means increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n according to step length sequence of at least 1% n_(max) each time, or new rotational speed=current rotational speed×(target air volume Q_(ref)/current calculated air volume Q_(c))².

Advantages of the invention are summarized below:

-   -   1) The motor works at states of constant rotational speed, and a         plurality of rotational speed values comprising the base         rotational speed are selected in the range of without exceeding         the rated rotational speed, so that the motor works under         different rotational speed values, the external static pressure         of the system is changed in sequence for collecting the original         date comprising rotational speed and air volume parameters, the         function relation formula Q=F(T, n, V), for calculating air         volume is obtained according to the original data of rotational         speed and air volume parameters under different external static         pressure conditions of different torques, the mathematical model         for calculating air volume only has a first-order or         second-order function, thus the method is simple in operation,         simplified in calculation high in efficiency, high in response         speed, high in control accuracy and low in implementation cost;         through a lot of experiments and tests, the error of air volume         is controlled in the range of 0.5%-5%, thus the method has a         good application prospect; and     -   2) The method is practicable at a wide range of static pressure,         and the air volume is calculated through measuring the external         static pressure of the system, so that the structure of the         product is simplified, and the cost is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described hereinbelow with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a structure diagram of a traditional air-conditioning fan system;

FIG. 2 is a control flowchart of an air conditioning system of in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a method for controlling air volume in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a straight line fitting diagram of measured data on a load; and

FIG. 5 is a part of flowchart of a method for controlling air volume in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For further illustrating the invention, experiments detailing a method for controlling air volume to remain constant are described below. It should be noted that the following examples are intended to describe and not to limit the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a blower system (e.g., a gas furnace or an air processor, which are replaced with “motor+wind wheel” in the figure) is installed in a typical air-conditioning ventilation duct. An air filter is arranged in the duct. Air-blasting is started when the motor is started. The number of air outlets and air inlets is related to that of rooms, and there is no unified standard to design ducts. Meanwhile, the filter may have different pressure drops, and the blower system carrying a traditional single-phase AC motor (PSC motor) is positioned in a different duct, thus the actual air volume will be different.

As shown in FIG. 2, an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is employed to drive the wind wheel to rotate, and comprises a motor controller. The motor controller is connected and communicated with an air-conditioning system controller, for example, the air-conditioning system controller sends the target air volume to the motor controller, and the motor controller controls the motor to drive the wind wheel to rotate, so as to output the target air volume, equivalently to the control of air volume.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air-conditioning system controller inputs the target air volume Q_(ref) to a microprocessor control unit of the motor controller, the motor controller comprises a sensor, a microprocessor control unit, and a power inverter module. The sensor inputs a rotational speed signal RPM and a current signal I_(dc) of the motor to the microprocessor control unit. A PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) signal output by the power inverter module is also sent to the microprocessor control unit for processing, Every coefficient involved in a functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V), comprising a comparison table for corresponding adjustment coefficients V under different working torques, is input to the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller in advance. The microprocessor control unit compares the target air volume Q_(ref) with the calculated air volume Q_(c) for adjusting the output signals, and the torque is used as controlled amount for indirectly controlling air volume. If the target air volume Q_(ref) is greater than the calculated air volume Q_(c), the output rational speed n is increased through the motor controller. If the target air volume Q_(ref) is smaller than the calculated air volume Q_(c), the output rational speed n is reduced through the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller. After the motor enters a steady state, the steady torque T under the increased or reduced rational speed is re-recorded. The motor controller is used for re-searching the corresponding adjustment coefficients V through a table look-up method. The calculated air volume Q_(c) is recalculated. The rational speed adjustment is stopped until the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref), and then the motor enters a steady state, i.e., the constant air volume state. The target air volume Q_(ref) is a fixed value, however, in the microprocessor control unit, when the calculated air volume Q_(c) is adjusted to the range of “target air volume Q_(ref)±error window”, it is regarded that the requirement is met, and adjustment is stopped. The advantage is that the repeated adjustment due to small perturbations is avoided to achieve the stable air volume. The error window of the target air volume Q_(ref) generally ranges from 1% to 2%.

Technical scheme of a method for controlling air volume provided by an air-conditioning fan system of the invention is summarized as follows:

A method for controlling air volume provided by an air-conditioning fan system, the air-conditioning fan system comprises a wind wheel and a motor, the motor comprising a motor controller, a stator component, and a rotor component, and the method comprising the following steps:

-   -   1) setting the motor to work at a constant rotational speed         state, selecting a plurality of rotational speed values         comprising a base rotational speed within a range without         exceeding the maximal rotational speed, allowing the motor to         work under different rotational speed values, and changing the         external static pressure of the system in sequence to collect         the original data comprising torque and air volume parameters;     -   2) establishing a functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) for         the air volume, Q representing the air volume, T representing         the torque, n representing the rotational speed, V representing         an adjustment coefficient, and each rotational speed section         having a corresponding adjustment coefficient which is input to         a microprocessor control unit of the motor controller;     -   3) inputting a target air volume Q_(ref) into the microprocessor         control unit of the motor controller;     -   4) starting the motor by the motor controller to enable the         motor achieve a certain rotational speed and fall on a steady         state;     -   5) recording the torque T and the rotational speed n in the         steady state, acquiring the adjustment coefficient V under the         rotational speed n through a table look-up method, and         calculating an air volume Q_(c) in the steady state according to         the functional relation formula in step 1);     -   6) comparing the target air volume Q_(ref) with the calculated         air volume Q_(c) by the microprocessor control unit of the motor         controller, and a) maintaining the rotational speed to work at         the steady state and recording the torque T if the target air         volume Q_(ref) is equal or equivalent to the calculated air         volume Q_(c); or b) increasing the rotational speed n through         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is greater         than the calculated air volume Q_(c), or c) decreasing the         rotational speed n through the microprocessor control unit of         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is smaller         than the calculated air volume Q_(c);     -   7) re-recording a steady torque after the motor falls on a new         steady state under an increased or reduced rotational speed,         re-searching the corresponding adjustment coefficient V by the         motor controller through the table look-up method, and         recalculating the air volume Q_(c) in the new steady state; and     -   8) repeating step 6) and step 7) to adjust the rotational speed         until the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to         the target air volume Q_(ref), and recording the torque T in the         steady state after the motor falls on the steady state.

Step 8) is followed by a step 9), that is, if the torque and the output air volume change due to the alteration of an external system, the motor controller compares the new steady torque with the torque in step 6) or step 8) to acquire the change of output air volume, and then steps 5), 6), 7), and 8) are repeated.

A calculation formula for calculating air volume is as follows:

${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}\;}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}}}},{or}$ ${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}} + {c\; 2 \times T^{2} \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V} \right)^{3}}}},$

in which coefficients c0, c1, and c2 are obtained by a curve fitting method under different external static pressure conditions of base rotational speed n_(base) according to the original data of the torque and air volume parameters.

The base rotational speed n_(base) ranges from 30% n_(max) to 80% n_(max), and n_(max) represents the maximal rotational speed of the motor.

The value of the adjustment coefficient V in the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) ranges from 0.1 to 2.

The calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref) in step 5) and step 7) means that the calculated air volume Q_(c) is in the range of “target air volume Q_(ref), ±error window”, and the error window of the target air volume Q_(ref) ranges from 1% to 2%.

Increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n through the motor controller in step 6) means increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n according to step length sequence of at least 1% n_(max) each time, or new rotational speed=current rotational speed×(target air volume Q_(ref)/current calculated air volume Q_(c))².

The derivation process of the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) is as follows.

The law for the fan indicates that, under certain conditions,

-   -   the air volume is proportional to the rotational speed, that is,

${\frac{Q_{1}}{Q_{2}} = \frac{n_{1}}{n_{2}}};$

-   -   the external air pressure of the fan is proportional to the         square of the rotational speed, that is,

${\frac{P_{1}}{P_{2}} = \left( \frac{n_{1}}{n_{2}} \right)^{2}};$

-   -   the output torque of the motor, i.e., the input torque of the         fan, is proportional to the square of the rotational speed, that         is,

${\frac{T_{1}}{T_{2}} = {\left( \frac{n_{1}}{n_{2}} \right)^{2} = \left( \frac{Q_{1}}{Q_{2}} \right)^{2}}};$

-   -   n represents the rotational speed of the motor, Q represents air         volume, P represents the external air pressure rise of the fan,         T represents the output torque of the motor, i.e., the input         torque of the fan.

For convenient derivation, the relation formula between the air volume and the torque under a base rotational speed is as follows:

Q _(equiv) =c0+c1×T,

or (if a quadratic polynomial is used)

Q _(equiv) =c0+c1×T+c2×T ².

From the formula above, by combining the law for the fan, the relationship between the torque and air volume can be further derived under an arbitrary rotational speed. Thus, it is needed to derive the equivalent torque when the rotational speed n=n_(base), and then the air volume is converted into a new rotational speed according to the law for the fan:

$T_{base} = {T \times {\left( \frac{n_{base}}{n} \right)^{2}.}}$

Put the relation formula into the equation under a base rotational speed, if a linear relation formula is used, then

${Q\left( {T,n} \right)} = {{Q_{base} \times \frac{n}{n_{base}}} = {\left\lbrack {{c\; 0} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n} \right)^{2}}} \right\rbrack \times {\frac{n}{n_{base}}.}}}$

If a quadratic polynomial is used, then

$\begin{matrix} {{Q\left( {T,n} \right)} = {Q_{base} \times \frac{n}{n_{base}}}} \\ {= {\left\lbrack {{c\; 0} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n} \right)^{2}} + {c\; 2 \times T^{2} \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n} \right)^{4}}} \right\rbrack \times \frac{n}{n_{base}}}} \end{matrix}$

From the experimental results, the device for testing air volume is always used for dynamically regulating back pressure for controlling the external static pressure, it causes that the law for the fan is invalid in the whole range of air volume, thus an adjustment coefficient V is required to be added in the formula above. The formula after adjustment is as follows.

If a linear relation formula is used, then

${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}}}};$

If a quadratic polynomial is used, then

$Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}} + {c\; 2 \times T^{2} \times {\left( \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V} \right)^{3}.}}}$

The value of the adjustment coefficient V is changed between 0.1 and 2, and the selecting principle is that the air volume value calculated from the formula above is equal or similar to the actual test value. Table 1 is a value table for the adjustment coefficient V of a load.

TABLE 1 Values of adjustment coefficient V of a load N (RPM) 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 V 0.6 0.74 0.89 0.95 1 1.04 1.08 1.11

The rotational speed values are selected to be 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1200 RPM, and the corresponding adjustment coefficient V values are also recorded in Table 1, and the V value can be calculated through linear interpolation of the V value of two adjacent Ts under other working conditions of unmeasured rotational speed.

A calculation formula above is premised on selecting a base rotational speed n_(base) for deriving the functional relation formula between the air volume and torque under the rotational speed. Therefore, the calculating precision is ensured, and from the point of calculation amount simplification, the function can be linear, that is,

Q _(equiv) =c0+c1×T,

or a quadratic polynomial, that is,

Q _(equiv) =c0+c1×T+c 2×T ².

The experimental data show that the problem of “excessive curve fitting” will be raised if a higher-order function is used to describe the relationship between the air volume and torque, i.e., the phenomenon that the calculation amount is increased, but the fitting precision is not enhanced. With this function, the calculating function formula Q=F (T, n, V) for the air volume can be further derived under any other rotational speed and torque. The value of the adjustment coefficient V is also different under different rotational speed values. Therefore, the working state of constant rotational speed of the motor is required to be set, and the values of a plurality of rotational speed values n comprising the base rotational speed are selected in the range of without exceeding the maximal rotational speed, so that the motor works under different rotational speeds n, and the external static pressure of the system is changed in sequence for collecting the original data comprising torque and air volume parameters. The test result of part of the original data of a load is shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Part of original data of a load Rotational Static Actual test value speed n pressure of air volume Torque (RPM) (Pa) Q (CFM) (Oz-ft) 1200 262.5 1254.0 44.70 1200 275 1204.7 44.17 1200 287.5 1134.1 41.19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1000 50 1566.7 49.41 1000 75 1490.8 45.91 1000 100 1409.7 42.13 900 25 1446.7 38.79 900 50 1362.5 35.43 900 75 1272.8 32.03

The corresponding adjustment coefficients V under different rotational speed values in Table 1 are obtained through the original data, and the selecting principle is that the air volume value calculated from the formula above is equal or similar to the actual test value.

The following example illustrates the control process to provide constant air volume:

-   -   1) after obtaining the original data, taking data in Table 2 as         an example, selecting the base rotational speed (n=900 RPM),         carrying out drawing and straight-line fitting based on data of         torque T and actual test value of air volume Q, establishing a         function relation formula Q_(base)=F (T) for calculating air         volume under the base rotational speed. Taking a linear relation         formula under the base rotational speed as an example:

Q _(equiv) =c0+c1×T+c2×T ²,

-   -   so as to be drawn into an image shown in FIG. 4; obtaining two         air volume coefficients c0 and c1 by a curve fitting method; on         the basis of original data, determining the V values under all         the rotational speeds according to the V value selecting         principle that “The calculated air volume value is equal or         similar to the actually measured air volume value”, as shown in         Table 1. At the moment, the function relation formula Q=F (T,         n, V) for calculating air volume under any rotational speed and         rotational speed can be determined as follows:

${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}} + {c\; 2 \times T^{2} \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V} \right)^{3}}}},$

-   -   Q represents air volume (CFM), T represents torque (oz-ft), n         represents rotational speed (RPM), and V represents adjustment         coefficient, as shown in Table 1, and the V values are input to         the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller in         advance;     -   2) the air-conditioning system controller inputting the target         air volume Q_(ref) into the microprocessor controller of the         motor;     -   steps 3)-8) are shown in FIG. 5.     -   3) starting the motor by the motor controller to enable the         motor achieve a certain rotational speed and fall on a steady         state;     -   4) recording the torque T and the rotational speed n in the         steady state, acquiring the adjustment coefficient V under the         rotational speed n through a table look-up method, and         calculating an air volume Q_(c) in the steady state according to         the functional relation formula in step 1);     -   5) comparing the target air volume Q_(ref) with the calculated         air volume Q_(c) by the microprocessor control unit of the motor         controller, and a) maintaining the rotational speed to work at         the steady state and recording the torque T if the target air         volume Q_(ref) is equal or equivalent to the calculated air         volume Q_(c); or b) increasing the rotational speed n through         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is greater         than the calculated air volume Q_(c), or c) decreasing the         rotational speed n through the microprocessor control unit of         the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is smaller         than the calculated air volume Q_(c);     -   6) re-recording a steady torque T after the motor falls on a new         steady state under an increased or reduced rotational speed,         re-searching the corresponding adjustment coefficient V by the         motor controller through the table look-up method, and         recalculating the air volume Q_(c) in the new steady state; and     -   7) repeating the step 5) and step 6) to adjust the rotational         speed until the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or         equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref), and recording the         torque T in the steady state after the motor falls on the steady         state. If the torque and the output air volume change due to the         alteration of an external system, the motor controller compares         the new steady torque with the torque in step 5) or step 7) to         acquire the change of output air volume, and then steps 4), 5),         6), and 7) are repeated.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling air volume provided by a motor, the method comprising: 1) testing a relationship between air volume and torque of a motor system under multiple constant rotational speed values, and establishing a functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) for the air volume, Q representing the air volume, T representing the torque, n representing a rotational speed, V representing an adjustment coefficient, and each rotational speed section having a corresponding adjustment coefficient which is input to a microprocessor control unit of a motor controller; 2) inputting a target air volume Q_(ref) into the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller; 3) starting the motor by the motor controller to enable the motor to achieve the rotational speed and fall on a steady state; 4) recording the torque and the rotational speed n in the steady state, acquiring the adjustment coefficient V under the rotational speed n through a table look-up method, and calculating an air volume Q_(c) in the steady state according to the functional relation formula in step 1); 5) comparing the target air volume Q_(ref) with the calculated air volume Q_(c) by the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller, and a) maintaining the rotational speed to work at the steady state and recording the torque T if the target air volume Q_(ref) is equal or equivalent to the calculated air volume Q_(c); or b) increasing the rotational speed n through the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is greater than the calculated air volume Q_(c), or c) decreasing the rotational speed n through the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is smaller than the calculated air volume Q_(c); 6) re-recording a steady torque T after the motor falls on a new steady state under an increased or reduced rotational speed, re-searching the corresponding adjustment coefficient V by the motor controller through the table look-up method, and recalculating the air volume Q_(c) in the new steady state; and 7) repeating step 5) and step 6) to adjust the rotational speed until the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref), and recording the torque T in the steady state after the motor falls on the steady state.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the torque and output air volume change due to the alteration of an external system, the motor controller compares the new steady torque with the torque in step 5) or step 7) to acquire the change of output air volume, and then steps 4), 5), 6), and 7) are repeated.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a calculation formula for calculating the air volume is as follows: ${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}}}},{or}$ ${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}} + {c\; 2 \times T^{2} \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V} \right)^{3}}}},$ in which coefficients c0, c1, and c2 are obtained by a curve fitting method under different external static pressure conditions of base rotational speed n_(base) according to the original data of the torque and air volume parameters.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the base rotational speed n_(base) ranges from 30% n_(max) to 80% n_(max), and n_(max) represents a maximal rotational speed of the motor.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the value of the adjustment coefficient V in the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) ranges from 0.1 to
 2. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the value of the adjustment coefficient V in the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) ranges from 0.1 to
 2. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref) in step 5) and step 7) means that the calculated air volume Q_(c) is in the range of “target air volume Q_(ref), ±error window”, and the error window of the target air volume Q_(ref) ranges from 1% to 2%.
 8. The method of claim 3, wherein the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref) in step 5) and step 7) means that the calculated air volume Q_(c) is in the range of “target air volume Q_(ref), ±error window”, and the error window of the target air volume Q_(ref) ranges from 1% to 2%.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n through the motor controller in step 5) means increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n according to step length sequence of at least 1% n_(max) each time, or new rotational speed=current rotational speed×(target air volume Q_(ref)/current calculated air volume Q_(c))².
 10. The method of claim 3, wherein increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n through the motor controller in step 5) means increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n according to step length sequence of at least 1% n_(max) each time, or new rotational speed=current rotational speed×(target air volume Q_(ref)/current calculated air volume Q_(c))².
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) is acquired as follows according to original data of torque and air volume parameters under a base rotational speed n_(base) and other rotational speed values and under different external static pressure: a) arranging the motor fixed on a wind wheel in an air-conditioning device; b) setting the motor to work at the working state of constant rotational speed; c) selecting a plurality of rotational speed values comprising the base rotational speed within the range without exceeding the maximal rotational speed; d) allowing the motor to work under different rotational speed values; and e) changing the external static pressure of the system in sequence to collect the original data comprising the torque and the air volume parameters.
 12. A method for controlling air volume provided by an air-conditioning fan system, the air-conditioning fan system comprising a wind wheel and a motor, the motor comprising a motor controller, a stator component, and a rotor component, and the method comprising the following steps: 1) setting the motor to work at a constant rotational speed state, selecting a plurality of rotational speed values comprising a base rotational speed within a range without exceeding the maximal rotational speed, allowing the motor to work under different rotational speed values, and changing the external static pressure of the system in sequence to collect the original data comprising torque and air volume parameters; 2) establishing a functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) for the air volume, Q representing the air volume, T representing the torque, n representing the rotational speed, V representing an adjustment coefficient, and each rotational speed section having a corresponding adjustment coefficient which is input to a microprocessor control unit of the motor controller; 3) inputting a target air volume Q_(ref) into the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller; 4) starting the motor by the motor controller to enable the motor to achieve a rotational speed and fall on a steady state; 5) recording the torque T and the rotational speed n in the steady state, acquiring the adjustment coefficient V under the rotational speed n through a table look-up method, and calculating an air volume Q_(c) in the steady state according to the functional relation formula in step 1); 6) comparing the target air volume Q_(ref) with the calculated air volume Q_(c) by the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller, and a) maintaining the rotational speed to work at the steady state and recording the torque T if the target air volume Q_(ref) is equal or equivalent to the calculated air volume Q_(c); or b) increasing the rotational speed n through the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is greater than the calculated air volume Q_(c), or c) decreasing the rotational speed n through the microprocessor control unit of the motor controller if the target air volume Q_(ref) is smaller than the calculated air volume Q_(c); 7) re-recording a steady torque after the motor falls on a new steady state under an increased or reduced rotational speed, re-searching the corresponding adjustment coefficient V by the motor controller through the table look-up method, and recalculating the air volume Q_(c) in the new steady state; and 8) repeating step 6) and step 7) to adjust the rotational speed until the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref), and recording the torque T in the steady state after the motor falls on the steady state.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein if the torque and the output air volume change due to the alteration of an external system, the motor controller compares the new steady torque with the torque in step 6) or step 8) to acquire the change of output air volume, and then steps 5), 6), 7), and 8) are repeated.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein a calculation formula for calculating air volume is as follows: ${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}}}},{or}$ ${Q = {{c\; 0 \times \frac{n \times V}{n_{base}}} + {c\; 1 \times T \times \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V}} + {c\; 2 \times T^{2} \times \left( \frac{n_{base}}{n \times V} \right)^{3}}}},$ in which coefficients c0, c1, and c2 are obtained by a curve fitting method under different external static pressure conditions of base rotational speed n_(base) according to the original data of the torque and air volume parameters.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the base rotational speed n_(base) ranges from 30% n_(max) to 80% n_(max), and n_(max) represents a maximal rotational speed of the motor.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the value of the adjustment coefficient V in the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) ranges from 0.1 to
 2. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the value of the adjustment coefficient V in the functional relation formula Q=F (T, n, V) ranges from 0.1 to
 2. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref) in step 5) and step 7) means that the calculated air volume Q_(c) is in the range of “target air volume Q_(ref), ±error window”, and the error window of the target air volume Q_(ref) ranges from 1% to 2%.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the calculated air volume Q_(c) is equal or equivalent to the target air volume Q_(ref) in step 5) and step 7) means that the calculated air volume Q_(c) is in the range of “target air volume Q_(ref), ±error window”, and the error window of the target air volume Q_(ref) ranges from 1% to 2%.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n through the motor controller in step 6) means increasing or decreasing the rotational speed n according to step length sequence of at least 1% n_(max) each time, or new rotational speed=current rotational speed ×(target air volume Q_(ref)/current calculated air volume Q_(c))². 